Council OKs Greenway Connector, Traffic Study

Communications Director

Kristin Farley
[email protected]
(865) 215-2589

400 Main St., Room 691
Knoxville, TN 37902

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Council OKs Greenway Connector, Traffic Study

Posted: 10/14/2025
Knoxville City Council tonight (Oct. 14, 2025) authorized Mayor Indya Kincannon to proceed with two important Engineering projects – a unique greenway that will connect Fort Sanders and Tyson Park, and a study of changes in traffic patterns since the Gay Street Bridge closed.


Greenway connection

CDM Smith will design an innovative connector that links the Fort Sanders neighborhood with Tyson Park, Third Creek Greenway and on to an extensive network of greenways

The bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path includes a tunnel under the elevated CSX railroad tracks, in the vicinity of Clinch Avenue

A 2015 City Bicycle Facilities Plan ranked the connector as its second most important project among 120 projects

The design services contract is for up to $980,770; the Knoxville Regional TPO 2050 Mobility Plan estimates the overall project cost, with property acquisition and construction, to be $9.3 million


Gay Street Bridge Traffic Study

This $96,100 study will evaluate the effect of the Gay Street Bridge closure in June 2024 on traffic patterns on the Henley Bridge, Chapman Highway, James White Parkway, and other streets in the area

The study will include evaluation of pre- and post-closure traffic data, community engagement with a web-based survey, and a cost-benefit analysis; the findings will help guide the City on the design and type of bridge if, potentially, a new bridge is built to replace the 127-year-old existing bridge

CDM Smith was selected as the most qualified of four companies that expressed interest in conducting the study

Due to structural defects, the existing bridge can no longer support the weight of motorized vehicles; however, a $2 million stabilization repair will allow it to reopen by the end of 2025 for limited use by bicyclists and pedestrians